OUTLOOK Business confidence slips due to taxes and tariffs City AM Recent data reveals that Rachel Reeves' tax policies and Donald Trump's tariffs have severely impacted business confidence in the UK, driving it to its lowest level in over two years. The Confederation...

INVESTMENT Treasury strong-arms pension funds to invest more in UK assets Financial Times Daily Express Rachel Reeves is set to announce significant changes to pension fund investments, aiming to direct more funds towards UK businesses. However, industry leaders...

EMPLOYMENT Workers' rights bill sparks job fears Daily Mail The Guardian Labour's proposed workers' rights bill is facing significant backlash from the business community, with a poll by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealing that 52% of HR directors anticipate...

FINANCING Lending gap stifles UK SMEs The Times Research by Allica Bank reveals a £90bn "lending gap" in bank finance for the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), hindering investment and economic growth. The report highlights a "credit shortfall" in...

OUTLOOK SMEs unprepared for mounting threats City AM Daily Express Small businesses in the UK are increasingly feeling the strain from cyber-security threats and economic instability, prompting many to consider restructuring. According to a survey by Kroll, less than...

OUTLOOK Output and optimism fall City AM Daily Mail The Standard Private sector output fell in April, with S&P Global's composite PMI seeing the first decline since October 2023. Output fell to 48.2 on an index where a reading above 50 points to growth, marking a...

OUTLOOK Company closures hit highest rate since 2010 City AM Analysis of published insolvency notices shows that more than 1,100 businesses across the UK have faced winding-up orders in the first fifteen weeks of 2025. This is up almost a quarter compared to the same...

OUTLOOK Corporate distress climbs amid 'mounting pressures' The Times Analysis by restructuring firm Kroll has identified a significant increase in corporate distress, with a 30.5% rise in companies filing for administration last month, from 108 last year to 141. The...

INVESTMENT Chinese investment in UK hits £90bn The Daily Telegraph Chinese investment in the UK has surged to nearly £90bn, with significant stakes acquired in major firms such as BAE Systems and National Grid. Analysis by Argus Vickers reveals that investments from...

EMPLOYMENT Business groups urge rethink of employment reforms BBC News Major business groups have voiced concern over the Government's Employment Rights Bill, which is set for scrutiny in the House of Lords. The British Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British...